Fsu, Ucf Add To Commitment Lists

Recruiting Update

The 'noles Landed A Defensive Back, And The Knights Gained A Defensive Lineman.

January 23, 2004|By Bill Buchalter, Sentinel Staff Writer

Florida State heard the good word from a coveted defensive back, East Carolina received yet another Florida commitment and UCF added another big lineman on the eve of the final big recruiting visit weekend before National Signing Day on Feb. 4.

Cornerback Trevor Ford (6 feet/180 pounds) of Miami Northwestern, No. 8 on the Sentinel's list of the state's top 100 prospects, is FSU's 14th commitment. He chose FSU over Miami. But the Seminoles' hope for another top corner was dashed when Marcus Walker (5-11/180) of Waco (Texas) High instead picked Oklahoma.

Running back Chris Johnson (6-0/175) of Olympia, No. 95 on the Sentinel's list, became the 14th Florida athlete to commit to East Carolina and the seventh from Central Florida. Johnson, who missed seven games with injuries, is one of Florida's five fastest football prospects. He clocked 10.62 seconds in the 100 meters last spring.

UCF got a commitment from defensive lineman Leger Douzable (6-5/275) of Tampa Alonso. He was an honorable mention pick on the All-Hillsborough County team.

Meanwhile, two running backs recognized as players of the year in their respective states on the Sentinel's All-Southern team also announced decisions before the big visit weekend. Darius Walker (5-10/182) of Buford, Ga., who broke Herschel Walker's Georgia career touchdown record, picked Notre Dame over Stanford, Georgia Tech, Ohio State and Arkansas. And Andre Brown (6-2/215) of Greenville (N.C.) Rose picked North Carolina State over North Carolina and Virginia.

Barring last-minute changes, FSU, UF and Miami expect to have a number of quality recruits on campus this weekend. Defensive tackle DeMario Pressley of Greensboro (N.C.) Dudley and quarterback Drew Weatherford of Land O' Lakes, who already has committed, lead the delegation to Tallahassee. Wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins of Stockton (Calif.) Edison and Lake City Columbia athletes George Timmons and Rashaun Jones lead the visitors into Coral Gables. Merritt Island defensive end Mike Mangold, a current Virginia Tech commitment, and linebacker Robert Ayers from Bennettsville (S.C.) Marlboro Co. are scheduled to be among the group in Gainesville.

UCF will have athletes in from Louisiana, Georgia and Florida for the weekend.

Schools also will have recruits in on the Jan. 30 weekend but not likely in big numbers. Most want to have the majority of commitments in their pocket before the final weekend.